Nectarine tree named &#34;NECTAPINK&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated “NECTAPINK”, has a very long fruit lifetime, and bearing fruit having a sweet sub-acid yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2004-0741 filed on Apr. 27, 2005 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

-   Botanical classification: Prunus persica sylvestris—Yellow    Nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of [Prunuspersica sylvestris—Yellow] nectarine tree. This new tree, named“NECTAPINK”, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality,semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the PyràenèesOrientales (66), France. Contrast is made to “NECTAROSS” and “ZAITABO”nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description. “NECTAPINK” isa promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an earlyflowering and a very long lifetime and durability of its fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

“NECTAPINK” nectarine tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyràenèes Orientales (66) where it wastested. The female parent was “ZAITABO” yellow nectarine (BIG TOP®) andthe male parent was a non-diffused variety obtained from seedbedMAILLARBELLE white nectarine. “NECTAPINK” was provisionally designatedand tested as 01.08.60.01 NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogueof the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 17, 2003 undernumber 1014086. It was asexually obtained by hybridizing and ispropagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree andfruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruitproduction. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock onthis scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit weretransmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually on the property ofS.A.R.L. Agro Selection Fruits,

Les Règalines, Route d'Alenya, La Parde de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE,Pyràenèes Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms with “NECTAPINK”nectarine in early March at Perpignan in the Pyràenèes Orientales,France. More particularly, it blooms from 4 to 5 days before “NECTAROSS”and “ZAITABO”, between 1^(st) and 16^(th) of March.

The first fruit ripens at the end of July and early august, at the sametime as “NECTAROSS”, nearly one month after “ZAITABO”. Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between July 28 and August 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the leaf,stem and flower of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruitof the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by “NECTAPINK” is high, due toits long fruit lifetime.

Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-spread outaspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brindilles side awayfrom sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower areshowy and rosaceous with relative large and medium petal size. Petalsare pale pink. Nectarine petioles are present and reniform. Time ofmaturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is yellow with alightly red pigmentation around the stone and its skin is thick very redwith a yellow background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is veryadherent. Fruit taste is sub-acid and sweet.

Compared to NECTAROSS variety, NECTAPINK has the same time of maturityalthough the red coloration is higher, 90 to 100% instead of 60 to 70%,and the taste is sweeter instead of being semi-acid. Lifetime of fruitis very long instead of being short.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Tree and fruit are disease resistant to chlorotic leaf spot, necroticring spot, prune dwarf, sharka (plum pox), nepovirus, peach latentmosaic and peach yellows. They are not sensible to cryptogamic disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedduring the fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing atElne which are located in the Pyràenèes Orientales, France.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium and large as compared to other            common commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the middle            season of maturity.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of    observation and thinning was necessary during the past 3 years.-   Form: Upright semi-standing, and pruned to a vase semi-spread out    shape.-   Density: Considered medium dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyràenèes    Orientales climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 11.2 cm in diameter when measured at a    distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level. The    measurement was taken at the end of the third growing season.-   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of    papery scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present.-   Lenticel color: Considered an orange brown.-   Bark coloration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a    medium grey-brown.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.-   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is    several years old.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable. This    particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the    variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Considered average.-   Color of mature branches: Medium brown.-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—Light green. The color of new shoot tips is            considered a bright and shiny green.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements    have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at    approximately mid-shoot.-   Leaf length: Considered average.-   Leaf width: Considered average.-   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal    axis.-   Leaf form: Lancelolate. Considered to be relatively narrow for the    species.-   Leaf tip form: Reniform.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—green.-   Leaf texture: Glabrous.-   Leaf color: green.    -   -   Lower surface.—Medium green.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light yellow green.-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered crenate.-   Uniformity: Considered generally uniform.-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally            two glands per margin side.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—Considered a pale orange.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.        -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 4 per shoot tip.        -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.        -   Color.—Green, when young, but graduating to a brown color,            with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be            early deciduous.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—The floral buds, depending upon the stage of            development, are approximately 7.0 millimeters wide; about            11.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and slightly appressed            relative to the bearing shoot.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple. The buds are            considered hardy under typical central Pyràenèes Orientales            climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury has been noted during the last several    years of evaluation in the central Pyràenèes Orientales. The current    variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat    stress, and therefore this information is not available.-   Date of bloom: early March.-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyràenèes    Orientales, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March. The    date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural    practices.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 16 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.-   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom is considered average.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant.-   Flower bud frequency: Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per node.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered between medium and large for the            species.-   Length: Considered average.-   Width: Considered average.-   Petal form: Slightly ovoid.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Glabrous.-   Petal color: Pink and light pink.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a            medium size when compared to other varieties.        -   Length.—Considered average.        -   Width.—Considered average.-   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to    slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long, and having an average            length.        -   Diameter.—Considered average.        -   Color.—A medium brown.-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A dull orange.-   Calyx:    -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Color.—Purple.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent            texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Color.—A deep purple.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Average in length.        -   Color.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color. The    present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Length is variable.-   Color: Considered light pink.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Considered average including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green.        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long glabrous pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of picking: July and August. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 70.0 to about 80.0    millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 60.0 to about 75.0    millimeters.-   Typical weight: Approximately from 200.0 to 300.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Considerably oblate. The fruit is generally            uniform in symmetry.-   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to    the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the    suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—This has a yellow background color.-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Only slightly indented.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Base: Generally retuse.-   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to            the flesh.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Taste.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally red. The blush            covers approximately 90% -100% of the fruit skin surface.            The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can            vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing            conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—Yellow orange.-   Fruit stem: Medium in length.-   Diameter: Considered average.-   Color: Pale yellow-green.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. The flesh is considered            non-melting.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.        -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and mildly acidic. The flavor is            considered both pleasant and balanced.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Brix.—About 14.0 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Pale yellow-orange.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Average.-   Width: Average.-   Diameter: Average.-   Form: Ovoid.-   Base: The stone is usually rounded to slightly oblique relative to    the ventral side.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is irregularly furrowed toward the            apical end. Pitting is generally more present and noted on            the lateral sides and toward the base.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered medium.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Full, lightly grooved, and having a reasonably smooth            margin.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    reddish brown.-   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.        -   Form.—Considered ovoid.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Greyed orange.-   Use: The subject variety “NECTAPINK” is considered to be a nectarine    tree of the middle season of maturity, and which produces fruit that    are considered firm, attractively colored, and which are useful for    both local and very long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed one week on tree before    harvest and then, has stored well up to 3 weeks after harvest at 1.0    degree Celsius.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new nectarine    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or    detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or    fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear ELNE, Pyràenèes Orientales, France, it should be understood thatvariations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control andhorticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree variety as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by a very long fruit lifetime, and bearingfruit having a sweet sub-acid yellow flesh of high eating quality and anattractive, very high percentage red skin.